The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Dayton

July 5

Eggs thrown at vehicle on W. Patit Avenue. Report of intoxicated person about to drive a vehicle; person did not drive off. Deputies attempted to assist Whitman County with a gas drive off. Disturbance reported on S. 4th Street; deputies contacted male and female engaged in a verbal argument.

July 6

Semi-truck and trailer blocking both lanes of Highway 12; deputies responded to clear vehicle from roadway. Burglary reported on S. 3rd Street; suspect broke into a home and took cash and sunglasses. Unruly customer at Dayton Mercantile; subject left before deputies could arrive to escort the subject from the store. Vandalism reported on 1st Street in Starbuck; someone cut a padlock on a shed but nothing was taken.

July 7

Possible trespassing on Eckler Mountain Road; property owner believes the individual violated a trespass order and left a heart-shaped rock at the premises. Non-injury collision occurred at Highway 12 and Rose Gulch Road when a vehicle was backed into a yield sign; vehicle was not damaged.

July 8

Caller reported an individual hanging out in an area of W. Main Street where not allowed per a signed trespass order; deputies advised the caller that the trespass paperwork had expired and would need to be renewed. Caller on E. Jackson Street concerned because her adult son has been hanging around an adult female she doesn’t like; was advised that her son is an adult and may hang out with whomever he wants. Deputies arrested Dayton resident Naomi Rutherford, 47, on S. 3rd Street on a warrant for failure to appear on a previous theft charge. Animal mistreatment case reported on W. Main Street where a dog was left in a car with the windows barely cracked and appeared to be in distress; deputy contacted dog owner and will be forwarding a report to the prosecutor’s office. Caller reporting a male with a knife watching kids in the area of S. 3rd Street; deputies were unable to locate anyone in the area. Deputies responded to a fight between husband and wife in the street on W. 1st Street in Starbuck; female resident Christina Johnson, 45, was arrested on suspicion of a domestic-violence assault, violation of a court order, and disorderly conduct. Buzzing noise reportedly coming from the ag shop at the Dayton High School; responsible party was contacted but nothing suspicious was located. Fight between husband and wife reported on E. Washington Avenue; Dayton resident Eric Gatlin, 26, was arrested on suspicion of a domestic-violence assault.

July 9

Shoplifting reported at the Dayton Mercantile; unknown suspect but reportedly this is the second time a similar incident has been reported and the investigation is ongoing. Deputies arrested Dayton resident William Tewalt, 44, on E. Main Street for a Department of Corrections warrant. Village Shoppes reported theft of items from a display case in the store; occurred sometime before closing on July 8. Reporting party alleges to being harassed by a family member who is “talking trash” about him or her around town.

July 10

Non-injury collision occurred when vehicle struck a deer on Highway 12 near milepost 382 causing damage to the front fender and making it impossible to open the driver-side door; caller drove vehicle into Dayton. Caller reported hearing several shots fired in the area of Camp Wooten on Tucannon Road the night before; park ranger was contacted – shots may have been used to scare a nuisance animal. Male reportedly sleeping in dining area of a business on W. Main Street; man became angry when told to leave by employee but had left prior to deputy arrival. Burglary reported on N. Touchet Road near milepost 5; caller reported somebody had been in the shop and moved items around but didn’t appear to have taken anything.

July 11

Report of male subject entering business on N. Cherry Street in the evenings and harassing employees; requesting to file criminal trespass paperwork barring the subject from the premises. Caller reporting multiple gunshots in campground area on Tucannon Road near milepost 20; deputies responded and spoke with multiple groups but were unable to determine which camping party was responsible. Possible harassment by family members reported on S. Pine Street. Theft of television from a room reported on W. Main Street. Possible harassment by family members reported on S. 1st Street.